Sword mark, various years 2nd half 20th century, 1st choice. Design: 1972/1975 by Ludwig Zepner (1931-2010; shape); Volkmar Bretschneider (*1930) and Heinz Werner (1928-2019; decoration).

Unglazed blue painting, polychrome overglaze painting, gold decoration. 13.25 kg.

Flower painting in Meissen has a long history and a great tradition. Each era produced great masterpieces that bore the particular signature of the artists, design and fashion of each decade. Probably the greatest achievement of postmodernism in the 1970s in terms of formal and decorative design is the 'Blue and Colorful Flower Painting'. An impressive table with this dinner service was the highlight of the manufactory's stand design at the Leipzig Autumn Fair in 1974 (see Meissener Konturen 1960-1990, p. 253). J. Schärer describes in detail in 'Meissener Konturen' the great challenge that the development and production of this porcelain required: Only particularly talented flower painters were able to realize this painting, which far exceeded the normal standard of flower painting. Added to this were the high technical challenges. As a result of these high demands, the decoration was only painted relatively rarely and is therefore very rare (op. cit., p. 254). The painting on this dinner service appears to be outside any set of rules for porcelain painting and possesses a liveliness that can only be found on individual works of art, but not on utilitarian porcelain. It is thanks to the greats Heinz Werner and Volkmar Bretschneider that the full richness of summer floral splendor comes to the fore on this service. Watercolor-like, unbound and yet finely nuanced and in the combination of underglaze and overglaze painting, the artists achieve an impressive depth and three-dimensionality. Each service piece is unique and an exquisite work of art. Flower power at the very highest artistic level. (see Meissner Konturen 1960 -1990, p. 84/85 and p.253f).

Literature : Exhibition catalog: Meissener Konturen (1991), 1991, p. 84f. and p. 253f.